When I signed up for the English Channel challenge I knew that my life and family life as we knew it, would not be the same. Holidays and weekends used to be a social affair and time spent chilling out. Now holidays and weekends revolve around my training and marathon swims. But this is short term and life for us will return to normal post the Channel. The same cannot be said for those struck with Brain Cancer, which is what has motivated me to do this. My kids will understand this eventually.

During the school holidays we camped at Boreen Point on Lake Cootharaba. I was looking forward to "unplugging" and spending some quality time with the kids and Campbell. My intention was also to swim in the Lake daily, but as it was too shallow I headed off to Noosa Aquatic Centre to keep the arms and km's ticking over.We did venture off to Noosa Main beach so I could fit in an ocean swim which was heavenly. Crystal clear water on a stunning spring day makes for a very tranquil swim.

During the week I eased the intensity of my sessions in preparation for a 10k open water race (marathon distance). This was a bit of a test for me as my longest swim thus far was 9km and it was a training swim, not a "race".Although not a cold water marathon, I was pretty excited about getting to test out my fitness and was eager to see what kind of pace I could hold over 10k and how my body would hold up.I finished the 10km race in 3hr 05mins and despite mildly aching shoulders and a bit of sunburn I felt pretty good and in hindsight, probably could've picked up the pace.

Considering my channel training commenced 2.5 months ago, I am pretty pleased with my progress.In the short term I can also see I am going to be really well prepared for swimming the 19.7km Rottnest Channel in February.

Jess and I have been really excited to see the donations rolling in and to date have hit $9950, Amazing!Thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to donate and for their words of support and encouragement to both Jess and myself. It means a lot to us. Keep them coming!​

Training is picking up and I am pretty excited about how things are progressing. I know I am in great hands with my coach Trent Grimsey and am certainly getting fitter, stronger and hitting all the targets set out for me. Last week I swam my first (of many) 3 continuous hours at Mooloolaba with my swim buddy Anna who is also attempting a crossing next year. Without a doubt, having someone to share the journey with and to squeal to when something slimy brushes past, makes a very solitary sport easier to manage. We clocked up 9km and despite the fact that our clothes and towels got totally soaked in the rain, it all went off without a hitch. I'm sure the patrons at the SLSC thought we were totally mad but lets be honest, they are not the only ones.

The Distance- In a straight line the distance from Dover in England to Calais in France is 32km. However, because of tides, the swim is rarely completed in a straight line. For 6 hours the swimmer is pushed up the channel and then for the next 6 hours pushed back down. This can add an additional 20kms to the total distance swum making the swim closer to 50km. There is no time to rest, liquid feeds are thrown to the swimmer in the water and they must drink it as quickly as possible and continue on. You can’t touch the boat or another person during the swim. If you do, the official observer will call off the swim. In regards to toileting, if you can’t get on the boat, you’ve got to do what you have to do, if you get my drift.Preparation and fitness is the key and I will be swimming many, many kms with lots of interval training over the next 10 months to get my body and mind ready.

The Cold Water- No wetsuits allowed! During the channel swimming season (July- September) the water temperature varies from 12-18 degrees. Now I must admit, when I first decided I was going to swim the english channel I didn’t really know what this temperature felt like. I now do, and it is icy. The water around Brisbane rarely drops below 18 degrees. Have you dipped your toes in the water at the beach in the middle of winter and felt the urge to immerse your whole body in it? I doubt it and this temperature is regarded “warm" in the Channel!I have done this regularly over the last few months and thank goodness I am starting to tolerate this a little better. Ice baths are a must for brisbanites looking at increasing tolerance, for up to an hour at a time. As well as long swims in Melbourne and Sydney during winter. As I could be in the water for 12-14hours, Hypothermia is a real risk and the support crew on my boat will be watching me carefully for any signs of what could become a life threatening situation. They do say cold water is great for reducing cellulite. Ha! I found the silver lining.

Ships- The English Channel is one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world with up to 600 cargo ships/ferries passing through PER DAY! It will be up to my boat pilot Paul Foreman on the “Optimist" (pictured above) to navigate me safely though the waters.

Marine Life- Thankfully the cold water keeps the big bitey animals away. However, swarms of stingy jellyfish will be encountered and this is something I will just have to deal with.

Willpower- Swimming the Channel is a mental as well as a physical swim. Possibly even more mental than physical. Many a failure has come about by not having the right mental attitude. Willpower is needed to push through the pain barriers that never go away and I’ll also have Jess and my supporters on my mind, to help me get there.

Sally Goble from the UK, swam the Channel in 2013 and sums it up pretty well- "Swimming the Channel is not about being fast and smooth and beautiful as a swimmer, although that can certainly help. Swimming the Channel is about being single-minded and self-contained and driven and stubborn. It's about facing head-on every mental weakness that you have. It's without a doubt the best thing I have ever done in my life.”

So today is a good day, I’m feeling positive and energetic and those days are rare and far between these days. I used to feel charged and energetic all day long, all week long until Friday night, when I collapsed after getting Ben to bed, with a glass of wine and then curled into bed shortly afterward. Now I rarely drink wine and I crawl into bed every night around 7.30pm or 8pm –it’s crazy how much and how quickly your life can change in an instant.

Today I met with our financial planner, and then had a workout on my spin bike, had a shower and then jumped on the computer to do this blog.

Yesterday we had Ben’s birthday and it was so much fun. Seeing Ben play and have a great time with his friends was a highlight. Seeing Brad enjoy himself with friends was also great to see. As some aren’t aware that Brad faces his own health issues and all my health issues creates pressure on him to stay healthy.

But today is a good day! Maybe cause that’s because Ben is in day care?? Hmm anything in that? No, surely not!!

Today my boss had to tell me, she has a letter with the lawyers awaiting their critical eye that will tell me they will need to medically terminate me. But today is a good day.Today is a good day, because I am here and I’m alive and I get to tuck my little boy into bed tonight and rouse on him for yabbering for 40 mins before falling asleep FINALLY!Today is a good day because I get to give my husband a hug and be here for him, and talk to him.Today is a good day as I can kiss my parents good night tonight and tell them that I’m thankful for all their help and that they are simply here!Today is a good day so I challenge you all to remember the simple things, the small things, the tiny things that will one day add up to your life and just be grateful for them and remember if you get to do them a few times a day, then today must be a good day!Jess Warner

I am 1 month into the 12 month intensive program in my lead up to swim the English Channel. The early starts are getting easier (my alarm goes off at 3.30am) and I really miss my swim fix on recovery days. For 2 hours while I am in the pool I don't have to do anything but swim- which as a mum and small business owner, is such an unusual experience.The km's per session are starting to creep up, averaging 5km's per day and I am finding good rhythm with my stroke. I attended a video analysis of my stroke with my coach Trent Grimsey last Sunday which was really helpful. There are just a few things I need to adjust which will hopefully ease some lower back issues I have been having, but nothing major. The biggest challenge so far is keeping my family happy. The training is the easy part. The moment I walk in the door after training I am catapulted straight back into reality: making lunches, orangising uniforms and changing nappies. After the manic school run, if I'm lucky I manage to sneak in a 20min snooze while Rupert watches Playschool. I love Playschool.

Jane Gordon

I am 35, married to an amazingly supportive man, mother of 3 little boys and recently swam the English Channel Solo in 2016. I was swimming to raise money and awareness for Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and to pay tribute to our friend Jess who had recently lost her battle with this disease.Follow our journey, support the cause. It's time to make a change.